Page 4 of Naughty Irish Fate
Squaring my shoulders as I dig deep for the resolve to ignore the mountain of a man watching me, I start closing down the pub. I cap the top shelf bottles, clear the bar top, and melt down the ice bins. In the background twangy country plays softly. Above the melody the front door bangs shut again and again as people file out.
“Think your mates are clearing out.” I won’t look at him as I wipe down perfectly clean glasses.
“Seems they are. Can I get a nightcap, Bronwyn?” A shudder passes through me as his voice comes out rusty and warm again.
The hell is wrong with me?
A new face passes through my doors almost every night. They come with new lines and new propositions. But really, it’s all the same. Different faces all with the same intent.
Bed a willing body before the sea takes them back.
Before I saw it all for what it really was, I indulged a few times. I saw it every single night now, so there was no shine to it for me. I pat the pocket holding my trusty coin, wondering if I might need it again tonight.
“Whisky, neat please. Tell me about that coin, Wyn.” Blinking up from pretending to be too busy to notice him, my eyes clash with his.
Wyn. Why does this stranger calling me a cutesy nickname make me feel girly and goofy?
Suddenly I want to tell him all about the coin. A story only Trudi knows about. I rub at the coin again, safe in my pocket. Fluffing my short hair as a smile twists my mouth, I lean forward as if sharing a secret.
“Call it, Rook. You call it your way I will tell you all about it.” My smile nearly splits my face; no one ever calls it right when they wager against me.
Rooker stands tall, big hands flattening against the bar in front of him. I take notice of those hands for a moment. Thick and strong and just slightly scarred from time spent on a fishing boat. I shudder a little as the idea of them smoothing over my skin heats me inside out.
“Think fate might be in my favor tonight, Wyn. Let’s make it interesting. I call it: you share a drink with me and tell me that story. Deal?” I smile up at him because there is no way he’s getting to call this coin right. Not when he ups the stakes to something that makes me anxious. No way, no how.
“You got a bet, sailor. Call it handsome.” Rooker’s eyes flash and churn bright green and I flush as they sizzle with something hungry.
“Heads, beautiful baby. Flip it.” Leaning forward, he shoots me a sexy smirk that makes my hand shaky as I tug the coin out.
Once again I show him it is indeed two sided. Rooker just smiles wider and winks at me. I flush even more.Jesus, cool it, Bronwyn.Squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin to hold his gaze, I flip it. Slamming it down on the counter, I almost laugh in triumph as I drag my hand away.
Because of course it is.... heads.Wait. What?
Rooker laughs and I am distracted from the coin. Tossing his head back, he laughs deep and long and I can’t help but enjoy it. Because it’s fucking beautiful. Those white teeth flash, those eyes crinkle, and his big hand flattens to his taut abdomen as he enjoys my shock.
“From the look on your lovely face, I’d say that’s a rare event, yeah? Let’s go two for three, Wyn. I want to have a drink with you and listen to your stories but I want you to know I earned it fair and square. Call it and flip that baby again.” Coming into my space he is all smiles and light eyes and once again I swoon a little. Maybe a little more than last time.
Despite myself, a smile pulls at my lips and lightness bubbles in my chest. But I make a face at him and snatch the coin up. Playfully I kiss it, rub it on my left tit and laugh when his eyes zone in my chest. He clears his throat as something zings between us.
“Calling heads. No need for best of three, Rook. Won’t happen again.” I wink at him and his eyes darken again as he leans forward.
“Let’s hope fate’s on my side tonight, Wyn. Flip it, beautiful baby.” I can’t tear my eyes away as his gaze drops to my mouth.
Flipping again, I follow its tumble through the air. Reaching out, I snatch it up and feel the cool coin settle in my palm. Like it has countless times before, giving me exactly what I want. I slam it on the bar top again.
We eye each other for a moment before I move my hand. Again the air charges between us. We both hover over it, almost close enough to touch. Eyes locked, we regard each other and I suddenly don’t want it to be heads. I want to lose and tell this man whatever he wants to ask of me. Like, literally anything.
“Let’s see, Wyn.” Rooker nods towards the coin but his eyes are on my mouth again.
I glance down at his mouth too. Big mistake. It’s full and looks soft and delicious. I imagine letting myself be reckless. Forward. Daring. I imagine kissing this stranger and letting him ask me questions later. I don’t though.Of course, I don’t.
“Let’s see it.” My voice comes out weird and tight as my hand slides away from the coin.
I don’t bother to look as I become suddenly disappointed. I know it will be heads and it will give me a reason to cut off this flirtation. I need to. I know that. But I was enjoying it so.
I jump when Rooker reaches over, sliding his big hand over mine to lift it. Lacing his fingers though mine—and shooting sparks and heat through me like nothing I have ever known—he laughs again.
“Fate is on my side tonight, Wyn. Pour us some whisky and come join me, yeah?” I blink at him and stare first at his thick fingers holding mine then down at the coin.
